Understand Your Home's Runoff
Rainwater on Your Property
As our area grows, where there was once land covered by mostly forest, we now have hard surfaces such as roofs, asphalt, and pavement. When rain falls on these hard surfaces, it cannot soak into the ground so it quickly becomes runoff that can cause flooding in our streets and homes.
Rainwater picks up what it touches on your property, like oil from the road, yard chemicals, and pet waste. This unfiltered, polluted water runs into our storm drain systems and flows into our streams, lakes, and Puget Sound. This polluted water can be highly toxic to our fish and wildlife.
Help rainwater soak into the soil where you live!
Select tabs below to understand runoff around your site.
Roofs
Your roof likely generates the most runoff from your home. While the majority of roofs are outfitted with gutters and downspouts, some are not. Regardless of which system you use, all eaves and downspouts should be routed away from sensitive areas such as septic system drain fields, slopes and building foundations.
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Decks & Stairs
The area under decks, outdoor stairs, and other elevated structures, where water impacts the ground, is called the drip-line. Significant soil loss, damage to supporting structures, or worse, can occur if this area is not adequately protected.
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Walkways & Patios
Walkways and patio areas often become conduits for runoff. For existing paved paths or patios, look for areas of standing water or visible signs of erosion where the path or patio surface meets the soil. Does your walkway drain to the street or toward your house?
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Driveways & Parking Areas
Most driveways are made of impervious materials such as asphalt. Driveways generate large volumes of runoff which can cause flooding of your yard or your neighbor’s property. This runoff can carry a variety of pollutants, such as oil and grease, soap from car washing, leaked antifreeze, and more.
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Soils, Yards & Slopes
Bare soils and sloped areas in your yard are vulnerable to the impacts of runoff. Runoff from slopes can cause erosion and create wet areas elsewhere. If directed toward structures, slope runoff can destabilize foundations or create damp crawlspaces and basements. Without a protective ground cover of vegetation, decaying leaves and needles, or mulch (wood chips, etc.), these areas erode and increase runoff.
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Events
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2023 RainScaping Expo
Free Event:
Saturday, September 23
Willis Tucker Park
View event schedule and details.
October RainScaping WorkshopsFour Evenings in October
Free, online webinars
Workshop schedule to come.
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Rainscaping Guide
Contact Us
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Peggy Campbell
Senior Planner - Education & Outreach
Ph: 425-388-6497
Carston Curd
Planner - Education & Outreach
Ph: 425-388-5306
Email us at rainscaping@snoco.org
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Surface Water Management Division
3000 Rockefeller Ave., M/S 303
Everett, WA 98201
Email Surface Water Management Division
Ph: 425-388-3464